Carol Cain: Two young men urge state to create youth advisory council

March 16, 2014

Sean Rucker, 20, left, and Michael Soviak, 21, are students at University of Detroit Mercy. They are launching campaign to get the state to adopt a youth commission to help stem brain drain of young talent.

By Carol Cain

Detroit Free Press Business Columnist

Tomas DeLuna, 27, grew up in southwest Detroit and attended the College for Creative Studies. He wanted to become an auto designer, but jobs were scarce so he switched gears and found a job at GE Appliances and now lives in Kentucky. / General Electric

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What inspires people to action?

For two civic-minded young people — Michael Soviak, 21, and Sean Rucker, 20 — both full-time University of Detroit Mercy students — it was a TV show about Michigan’s brain drain of young talent that spurred them on.

As a result, they have launched an effort to get the state to create an advisory commission to address issues important to young adults.

Michigan has more than 200 boards and commissions such as the Women’s Commission, the Hispanic/Latino Commission, the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, and the Aging Commission that advise the governor and state Legislature.

“Why not a youth commission made up of young people to advise the governor and Legislature on issues?” asked Soviak.

Under their plan, the Michigan Youth Advisory Committee would be comprised of 15 members, ages 18-30. The governor would appoint the members as he does the other boards.

“This committee would be important to help give lawmakers and the governor ideas on policies that could help reverse the brain drain,” Rucker said. “We’re tired of watching our friends leave.”

The duo met in class and found they shared a concern over the problem.

Soviak, who lives in Grosse Pointe Woods, and Rucker, who lives in Oak Park, also saw an episode of “Michigan Matters” on CBS 62 on the topic in November.

The show featured Tomas DeLuna, a 27-year-old engineer from Detroit who wanted to become an auto designer. Jobs were scarce so he switched gears and found a job at GE Appliances and now lives in Kentucky.

The show also featured David Cole, auto industry champion, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Amy Cell, in charge of talent at Michigan Economic Development Corp. They discussed the exodus of graduates.

After watching the episode, they came up with the idea of starting the youth commission to help. To accomplish that, however, they found out it requires legislation or an executive order signed by the governor.

The duo recently sent letters to key state legislators and Gov. Rick Snyder.

When asked for comment, Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said, “we are always interested and open to hearing ideas and harnessing the energy and talents of Michiganders of all ages and backgrounds.”

The two students have also had conversations with a few state leaders who are supportive but overwhelmed by other issues.

They aren’t giving up.

“I believe in being proactive because that is the only way to get things done,” Soviak said.

Contact Carol Cain: 313-222-6732 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer and host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs at 11:30 a.m. Sundays on WWJ-TV (Channel 62). You can see Michael Finney, David Egner, George Jackson, Audra Rush and Gregory Jackson on today’s show.